MINUTES
UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
MAY 17, 1999

 

Mayor Margo G. Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Councilmembers Harrison C. Bristoll, Jr., Thomas A. Gross, Sr., Mabel Mumford-Pautz and J. Brian Kirby, Medford Capel, Utilities Commission Manager, W. S. Ingersoll, Town Manager, Joan Merryman, Stenographer, and guests.

Mayor Bailey asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the previous meeting. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the minutes of the meeting of April 19, 1999 be approved as presented, was seconded by Mr. Kirby and carried unanimously.

Mayor Bailey announced that the Utilities Commission has cash on hand and in banks of $357,192.68.

Mayor Bailey called on Mr. Capel for his report. Mr. Capel stated that he had gotten prices for the chlorine and sulfer dioxide detectors. He said Bailey, Fischer & Porter was the low bidder for the equipment with a total price of $4478.00. He said he took it upon himself to place the order as the Council had approved it at the previous meeting. He said we have $1,000 from the Local Government Insurance Trust towards the cost. He said the other bidder did not have the testing equipment for the sulfa dioxide detectors and that testing equipment was included in the Fischer Porter price.

Mr. Capel reported that they had a problem with the control that regulates the height of the water in the reservoir. He said he had contacted Retro and for about $4,000 (installed) we can correct the problem. He said we cannot get the parts for the existing modules and the equipment must be replaced.

Mr. Capel said he had information on ultra-violet equipment which would replace the need for chlorine or sulfer dioxide. He said when you compare the cost of the chemicals we must use and all the tests that must be done (sometimes several times a day), the ultra-violet equipment would not be that expensive. He said under the Risk Management Plan we can only store 2500 lbs. of chlorine. He said we are using one cylinder (2000 lbs.) and storing one off site. Mr. Capel said the company representative said he would put a pilot plan in our plant to test it out. He said this cannot be done right away. He said our system would need two units.

Mr. Bristoll asked what the system would cost. Mr. Capel said about $20,000 each. He said some water plants are doing away with the ton chlorine cylinders and using sodium hypochlorite which leaves a residue in the pumps and lines. Mr. Bristoll asked that a comparison be made between the current costs using the chemicals and the cost of the ultra-violet equipment. Mr. Capel said he will do that if the Council was interested in the equipment. He said in the ultra-violet equipment there are tubes that need to be cleaned and he recommended automatic wipers to keep them clean. Mr. Ingersoll said the cost of chemicals last year was over $30,000. Mayor Bailey asked about the offer to make this a pilot program. Mr. Capel said they would come and set one up free to test it. Mr. Kirby asked whether this was something that would be included in the budget for the coming year. Mr. Ingersoll said it was not covered in the 1999-2000 budget. Mr. Capel said it was not something that could be in the coming year's budget. Mr. Ingersoll asked if that equipment would need a generator in case of power failure. Mr. Capel said the generator we have may be large enough. He said he has not gone into all the details but a study can be made and the company can give us the facts on the use. He said that the $20,000 would not include the installation and he will get more information.

Mr. Capel said we are having a lot of evaporation of water. He said we are putting in 500,000 plus gallons a day and only letting out 230,000 gallons a day. He said we are pumping into the town almost a million gallons a day so there must be a lot of sprinkling being done. He said the dry weather accounts for this.

Mr. Capel asked if the Council was going to approve the purchase of the chlorine and sulfa dioxide detectors. Mrs. Mumford-Pautz moved that the detectors be purchased from Bailey, Fisher & Porter for $4478.00, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Ingersoll asked the Council if they wished to act on the agreement with MDE regarding the work on biological nutrient removal. He said he would have the Town Attorney look at the agreement if the Council wished him to do so. He said under the terms of the agreement you agree to work on Biological Nutrient Removal. He said not only do we have low levels of nitrogen leaving our lagoon, but we have inexpensive plans for modification to further lower it. He said under our plan we would not discharge when levels are elevated. He said they will fund 100% of the costs for planning and after that if you go to construction they fund 50% of the construction and then you pay back 50% back on the cost of the plans. The Council said they would like to attorney to look at the agreement and then the Council will consider it.

There being no further business Mayor Bailey asked the Council to review the bills. Mr. Kirby moved that the bills be paid as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bristoll and carried unanimously.

Mr. Gross moved that the meeting be adjourned at 7:55 p.m., was seconded by Mrs. Mumford-Pautz and carried unanimously.

 

Submitted by:
Joan Merryman (Stenographer)

Approved by:
Margo G. Bailey (Mayor )